English Language and Linguistics

The specialisation English Language and Linguistics is offered as an English only study programme. It furthers the student's knowledge and understanding of the structure and history of the English Language. In addition, the specialistion offers courses on Linguistic Variation, Language contact and Discourse and Communication in English-speaking societies. An additional module of the program focuses on Research Perspectives in English Linguistics.

The modules of the specialization are structured as follows:

In the module Structure of Present-Day English students study the major properties and phenomena of English sound structure (phonetics, phonology), word structure (morphology, word-formation) as well as phrase, clause and sentence structure (grammar), both in written and spontaneous spoken English. This includes a contrastive (notably English-German) and typological perspective.

The module Linguistic Variation and Language contact in English focuses on English as a pluricentric world language and the principles underlying regional, social and stylistic variation in the language. The general survey is complemented with case studies of specific varieties, communities, and communities of practice. Students also understand that language contact, as reflected in the use of English in multilingual contexts (ESL, ELF) and multilingual practices (e.g. code-switching), is an essential component of the sociolinguistics of a global language.

The third module in the specialisation, Language Change and History of the English Language, offers insights into linguistic, pychological and social motivations of diachronic change in languages. The students are able to survey the major phonetic, morphosyntactic, lexical and pragmatic changes in the history of English and understand the linguistic and social motivations underlying the standardisation of the language. They are aware of the relationship between diachronic change and synchronic variability.

In the module Discourse and Communication in English-speaking Societies students explore the macro-level interface between language and society, as reflected in the complex and often contradictory language ideologies shaping public discourse on the English language in its many settings. One major focus is on issues of language policy and planning, such as they are raised by the use of English in education or in multilingual postcolonial settings. Given the role of English as a world language, students are also encouraged to consider problems of linguistic justice and rights for speakers of other languages.

Lastly, the module Research Perspectives in English Linguistics offers students the opportunity to work independently and empirically on a topic from the research area of the seminar or from the research area of the course instructor. Under the guidance of the instructor, the students design a research project, i.e. they develop suitable research questions, the study design, data collection/selection and analysis, and select suitable empirical research methods. The students carry out the project independently. This gives students early insights into independent, scientific work.